The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has made a historic agreement to pay $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse spanning several decades. This settlement marks the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese, as revealed by an attorney on Wednesday.
Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed his remorse for the incidents, stating, “I am sorry for every one of these incidents, from the bottom of my heart.” He also shared his hope that the settlement would bring a sense of healing to the survivors who have endured immense suffering. The agreement follows negotiations between attorneys representing 1,353 individuals who allege experiencing severe abuse by local Catholic priests.
The Plaintiffs’ Liaison Committee released a joint statement emphasising the significance of accountability in seeking justice for the survivors. The settlement will involve a process, independent of the archdiocese, to distribute the settlement amount among the participants. This agreement concludes a lengthy legal battle against the largest archdiocese in the United States.
Attorney Morgan Stewart, leading the negotiations, highlighted that the survivors have endured decades of suffering, with several having passed away. The funding for the settlement will come from archdiocese investments, reserves, bank financing, and other assets. Additionally, certain religious orders and entities named in the litigation will also contribute towards covering the settlement costs.
This settlement underlines a significant step towards acknowledging the harm caused by clergy sexual abuse and providing restitution to the survivors. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles continues its commitment to better safeguarding its members as part of the broader efforts to address the legacy of abuse within the Catholic Church.